Counter construction



Nov. 29, 1949 F. c. KUENZIE 2,439,493`

COUNTER CONSTRUCTION Filed June 26, 1946 v 3-Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 29,- 1949 F. c. KUENzlE COUNTER CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 26, 1946 INVENTOR. Fhd, C', /fuenze BY am@ ma? 197W( f W4 Patented Nov. 29, 1949 UNITED STATES OFFJICE.

2,489,493 I COUNTER CONSTRUCTION Fl'edC.r Kuenzie;` Muskegon Heights; Mich;I as-f signorj to- The Shaw-Walkerr-Co;l ,Muskegon,f.A Mich., a corporation ofy Michigan Application 'June-*26, 1946, Serial No. 679,444

This invention relates to improvements in` combined sectional filing cabinets and. oiicecounters of the kind adaptedfor use -in business oices to form `a division between there'ceptio'n space and the working space. Acounter forvthis purpose also serves as a convenient place for ling-records which must be referred to in connection ywith the business which is carried on: over the counter.

Heretofore it has been the practice to make such counters by assembling standard ling units into a battery by bolting each filing unit toA the next through holes near each corner of the side walls of the units. A prefabricated decorative facing is then bolted to the back ofthe battery and a prefabricated top is applied to the top of the battery so that the joints lbetweeny the individual units are concealed from public-view.

Since the requirements of"different businesses are seldom the same as to the length'ofcounter required, the kind and number' of records to-be housed, etc., the manufacturer'of thel'tops and back facings for the counters hasbe'en on a custom-built basis which has made them expensive to manufacture and difficult -to'install and requiring a preliminary set upat thefact'ory'before delivering it to the customer.

The principal object of.v this invention is A'to providea battery of standard-filing'cabinetsS with improved means including prefabricated Vbach, end andftop facing panels connecting saidv ling cabinets togetherin alignment vto* form a counter of the kind above described.

A further object. is to construct'the tops and back facings in standard size lunits which can be manufactured in quantityV and installed on counters of various lengthswith a minimum of eiiort by one man and in no caserequiring more than a single short section to befmade to measure.

Another object is to provide a means at the end of a counter for compensating forslnall .differences in dimension betweenv the Vlength of the counter and the top and facing membersI which are applied to it.

Still another object is to eliminate the necessity for the use` of bolts or screws to fastenthe .facing panels and tops to the .filing units Lthusavoiding mutilating ther-lling units'andimaking it possible to re-arrange or re-use the filing units in any way desired due to changed requirements.

The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view fromfthe front and side of an `ollice counter constructed in' accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a View similar to-.-Figure 1, with a 2*v portion Vo1 the1side .facings and. 'coverremoved from .the batteryofnlingz units/r Figure 3 isa perspective viewffrom'tliefrear'of the counter. shown ini Figurel.

Figure `4 is an enlarged-fragmentary.view 'in perspective, .showingdetails ofa connecting clip for holding thebases-of adjacent filing units together;

Figure is a perspective view in vertical section v.taken transversely through .the counter' toy show the. connecting ,-means: fornadjacent le uni-ts.

Figure vv6 .isia fragmentary 4detail view inperspective :showing-.the supporting devices' for the sideipanels...

Figure v'7 isan enlarged fragmentary plan View ofthe parts shown at the topof Figure 6.

Figure 8 isv anenlarged `detail perspective view oftheparts' shown at-the .top of Figure 6, but with theiconnecting bolt removed.- l

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in-perspective, ofOne ofthe endl panels, with parts broken away toishow the adjusting devices-therefor.

Figure 10 isa 'fragmentary view in perspective showingf-details 'of the;means'forfconnecting ad- '.ffjacent sections of the countercoven Figure 1l is an enlarged detailse'ction showing the meeting-edges'` 'of 'adjacentfcover-sections in separated position'ready/for insertion of an aligning spline, and

Figure' l2 is an enlarged' detail `section of a connecting latch for adjacent cover sections.

Referringl to details of the embodiment of my invention lshown in the drawings, a counter indicated.' generally at Ill` consists of a plurality of standard metal'filing units indicated generally at II, "I I` in Figure 2 which are' secured together in vside -bysidealignment and provided' with a sectional. countertop' indicated generally at I2, ttingover andV along said'ling'ca'b-inets, and are also provided with a sectional'iacin-g. consisting of a plurality of facing panels I3 securedl alongthe rear'or closedv ends'of the-filing cabinets, andend facingk panels I4; I4' to com-plete the counter at opposite ends tl'lereof;v

Aswill berseen from Figures-1 and2 the facing panels I3, when assembled, form the frontof the finished fcountenflwhile the drawers I5, 55' ofthe llingunits II, IIl are exposedl at therear ofthe counterv forl ready" access by employees *when desired.

As shown in Figure' 3 an open'frame' section IG, havingtonpsides and a rear wall, maybefinserted in the battery to form a knee-hole space', opening toward ftherear of fthe counterwhe'n desired; l

It `will alsobe' fmanifest'from Figure 3 thatthe individual filing units may be of different widths. For instance, as shown in the latter figure the units to the left of the knee-hole frame I6 are of greater width than those to the right of said kneehole frame.

The individual filing units and the knee-hole frame are first moved into their intended positions, and the adjacent filing units are set down over U-shaped connecting clips I'I, I'I as indicated in Figure 5. Each of these clips are formed of sheet metal bent upwardly at each end to form a pair of spaced lugs I8, I8 having inwardly and upwardly tapered outer faces I9, I9, and with an intermediate flanged portion extending slightly beyond said lugs to form a shorter ange or lug 29. Y

The bottom wall 22 of each filing unit I I is provided with a plurality of receiving slots 23 of such Shape and arrangement as to flt over each pair of tapered lugs I3, I8 at one end of a connecting clip Il and said slots being of suflcient width to receive the outer face of the shorter, intermediate lug 23 snugly therein. Said lug is preferably inclined inwardly toward the clip, so that the tapered lugs I8, I8 and the inclined lug 2l] will be readily guided into its receiving slot.

The receiving slots 23 in the bottom walls of the filing units are disposed at uniform distances from the sides of said units and in alignment with each other so that when a pair of adjacent filing units are fitted over one of the connecting clips I1, the units will be automatically positioned in closely fitting, abutting relation and in precise alignment with each other (see Figure In practice I prefer to connect each pair of units with two connecting clips I1, one near the front and the other near the rear of the counter, but one set of clips may often be sufficient for the purpose.

The upper ends of the filing units may be secured in side by side relation by means of bolts 25 and wing nuts 26 which may be passed through registering holes in the side walls of the units as shown in Figure 5. Such bolts and wing nuts are readily accessible for attachment through the top drawer openings of the filing units. The knee-hole frame I6 may be similarly fastened to the adjacent filing units.

After the several filing units making up the battery have been fastened together in proper position and alignment, the decorative facing panels I3, I3 may be assembled along the rear of the battery to form the front of the counter. The facing panels I3 are preferably of standard length, excepting for one section which is cut to proper length to fill out the length of the battery, when necessary. Each of said facing panels is provided with a horizontal channel shaped spacing web 30, along its top, formed of sheet metal with one upright flange 3l secured along the inner face of the panel and with its opposite upright flange or bearing element 32 terminating in a horizontal flange or bearing element 33, adapted to fit over the adjacent upper corner of the ling unit battery as shown in Figure 6. The horizontal spacing webs terminate short of the ends of their respective panels to accommodate vertical spacing webs as will presently appear.

Each panel I3 also has a lower spacing web 35 with a downwardly extending outer flange 36 secured along the inner face of the panel, and an inner downwardly extending flange 31 adapted to engage the rear face of the filing unit battery near the bottom thereof, as shown in Figure 6. In the form shown, the facing panels I3 terminate a few inches above the floor surface, in oset relation to a base member or mop strip 39 disposed directly along the bottom of the battery, thus leaving a toe space along the floor.

The meeting edges of abutting facing panels I3 are provided with similar upright channel shaped webs 4U, 40 shown in Figure 7 which are almost flush with the panel edges and are adapted to be secured together by through-bolts and wing nuts 4I, 42 near the top and bottom of the assembly, where the bolts and Wing nuts are readily accessible by hand.

The upright spacing webs 49, 4U each have terminal inner flanges 43 which bear against the rear wall of the filing unit battery and t between the adjacent ends of the upper and lower horizontal spacing webs 39, 35, respectively. The facing panels are held in place on the battery by means of U-shaped metal straps 45 which are made of proper width to t atwise across the top of the filing unit battery, with a depending flange 46 engaging the upper corner of the filing unit at the rear of the counter and with depending flanges 4l having a notched central portion 4B therebetween adapted to fit over the upper ends of the two vertical spacing webs 40, 40.

The depending flanges 41 of the locking strap 45 also fit in clamping engagement over an upright bearing element of the spacing webs at the upper corner of each facing panel. In the form shown herein, each inner flange 43 of an upright spacing web 4B abuts an upright ange 32 of an upper horizontal spacing web 30 and a rectangular sheet metal reenforcing strip 49 overlies and connects said flanges so that said flanges and reenforcing strip together form in effect a continuous upright bearing element for engagement against the rear face of the filing unit battery when the retaining strap 45 is in assembled relation with its flanges 41 engaging the reenforcing strip 49, as shown in Figures 6 and '7.

The upright meeting edges of adjacent facing panels I3 are held in precise alignment with each other by means of upright sheet metal splines 50 which are inserted in open slots 5I, 5I formed by inwardly offset flange portions 52, 52 of the upright webs 43, 40 as shown in Figure 7.

In the form shown each spline 5U is provided with a terminal flange 53 at its upper end to form a stop for said spline when it is fully inserted and also to provide means for readily removing the spline when the parts are to be disassembled.

Means are also provided for retaining the base member or mop strip 39 in place, herein consisting of a plurality of L-shaped clips 50 mounted on the under surface of the lower horizontal spacing web 35 and spaced from the inner terminal flange 37, each of said clips having a thumb screw 6I threaded therethrough adapted to hold the base member 39 in position along the floor and against the rear face of the filing unit battery.

Each end of the counter is provided with an end facing panel 'I6 which is generally similar in construction to the individual front panels I3, I3 excepting that the front and rear corners are rounded. The front corner of each end panel is provided with a rounded terminal flange 'II supported by a spacing web 12 and an integral laterally spacing web I3, as shown in Figure 9. The spacing web 72 is of substantially the same shape as the upright spacing web 40 of the adjacent front panel I3, to whichthe end panel is connected as before, by bolt and wing nut 4I, 42.

The laterally extending spaeii'l'gweb 13 forms the counterpart of the inner terminal flange -43 of spacing webs 40 on the panelsv I3, butin this instance extends laterally 4into engagement with the inner face of the end panel 10 to form a box-like support for the 'front'corner of said end panel. I

The rear corner of the end panel* 10 is provided with an upright rounded terminal iiange 15 which is secured to an upright angle stripA 16, 'suitably connected to the corner of ther outermost filing unit |a substantiallyA flush Vwith the front face thereof, as shown in Figure 9. K n

In the form shown herein the angle strip 16 is provided with elongated horizontal slots 11, 18 near the top and bottom thereof to accommodate bolts 80, 80 passing through the terminal flange 15 which overlaps said angle strip 16. The bolts 80 are provided with wing nutsl 8|- which may be readily reached to secure the terminal vilange 15 to said angle strip 16.

The end panel alsoha's an upper spacing web 83 similar to the upper spacing web 30 of the side panels I3, including an inner upright shoulder 84 and a horizontal ange 85 which rests on top of the adjacent lingunit I I.

Endwise adjustment of the parts may be provided in the lower spacing vweb of the `end panel 10 by forming said lower spacing web of two telescoping sheet metal plates 86 and 81. One plate 86 may be provided with an elongated slot 88 in which a bolt 89 passing through the lapping plate S1 may have sliding adjustment. The plates 85 and 81 are fastened in proper adjusted position by a wing nut 90 on bolt 89.

It will be understood that in fitting the side panels I3 to the ling unit battery, one of the panels I3 is out to approximately the proper length so that the upright web- 40 will be substantially in registry with the end of the battery unit as shown in Figure 9.

The adjustment provided by bolts 80 and 89 will allow for minor errors in the length of the end panel I3 such as may occur when assembling devices of this kind. The flange 85 of the upper spacing flange 83 is long enough to provide supporting engagementen the top of the adjacent filing unit in all permissible positionsl of adjustment of the end panel. Y

The cover or counter top indicated'g'enerally at I2 is made up of a pluralityoffendsections 95 and one or more intermediate sections 96. The end sections 95 may be identical, :and where a plurality of intermediate sections `are remployed they may also be identical excepting in some instances one or more of said sections mayrequire cutting to proper length for the final assembly.

The top sections 95 and 96 have 'a-plur'ality of longitudinally extending channel shaped inembers |00, |00 secured along their bottom faces. In the form shown these reinforcing -members are substantially U-shape in cross section-with their upper flanges secured to the under face of their respective top sections "so as vto rest on the top of the ling unit battery.- Thefintermediate section or sections 96 are edged with a depending molding |0| along their front and rear edges, while the end sections'95, 95 eachA have a similar edge molding |02 continuing varound `one end thereof, thus providing-a complete-molding along the sides and ends of the counter.`

A preferred constructionof therend'sections is shown in detail in Figures 11v and l2whereinthe top sections 95, 96 each include a'she'et metal tiene los. to which vissneeuwen.:suitablesurfe@ 6 ingiaterial |06 of fabric vcomposition or the. like.

The edge moldings IUI, |102. may be made of metal or plastic suitably secured along the margins of the metal plate |05 with its upper surface ilush with the surfacing layer |06, as shown in FigureI 10.

The meeting edges between proximate top sections are preferably furnished with upstanding metal flanges |01 connected to the sheet metal plate |05, the terminal edges of said anges being flush with the top surface of the surfacing material |06.

As shown in Figure 11 the meeting edges of the cover sections 95, 96 thus are preferably maintained in precise horizontal alignment by a sheet metal spline |08.

Each plate section is provided with a transversely extending angle bar II 0 having its top ange secured in outwardly facing position beneath the edge of the metal plate |05 of its respective top section, and a longitudinal strip III is fixed along the bottom of said last-named flange with its outer margin offset downwardly to form an elongated marginal slot |09 for receiving the spline |08 therein.

It will be understood that in assembling the top sections the spline |08 is inserted edgewise in the opposed slots of proximate top sections as the latter are pushed together.

Means for locking proximate top sections together consists of pivoted latch members ||5 which are pivotally mounted on depending angle members IIS secured to the margins of the metal plates |05 of each sectionadjacent their ends,

4as shown in Figure 10. These latch members are adapted toproject beyond the end of their respective top sections and carry a hook ||1 at their outer ends which engages a pin I|8 fixed to a depending angle bar IIE)V xed to the proximate meeting top section immediately beneath the edge molding |0| A The arrangement is such that these latches I1 may be reached by a suitable tool |20 as shown in Figure l2, said tool having a socket adapted to t over the pivoted end of the latch ||1, to

swing it downwardly into latching engagement with the pin |I8 on the adjacent top section,

It will be observed that when the cover is vin assembled position on the top of the ling unit battery, said cover rests on the connecting straps 45 to hold the latter in place, usually requiring no other securing means than the weight of the counter top alone.

From the above description it will now be understood that my improved counter construction permits quick and easy installation of office counters of varying sizes and capacities, varying with the space available and the particular requirements of the installation. The main parts consisting of the facing panels and top sections may be prefabricated to standardlimits suitable for a wide variation in counter lengths and at the most requiring the cutting ofv only one facing panel and one cover section to a specic length. Adjustment is also provided for the end panel sections to allow for minor variations or errors in the le assembly and the cutting of theV special vsections to proper length.

It will also be understood that the facing panels and cover sections are demountable so that they can be re-employed in other installations when desired.

lAlthough 'I -ha-ve shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that I do not Wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modications may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a composite counter structure, a plurality of filing cabinet units of uniform height and length, means for fastening said units together in side-by-side abutting engagement to form a continuous battery of such units, facing panel sections detachably mounted on the rear face of said battery, each consisting of an upright plate having marginal spacing webs including angle members with horizontal and vertical bearing elements fitting along the upper edge of said battery for supporting engagement on the top and rear of the latter, and means for detachably securing said panel sections to said battery including metal straps each having depending lugs at opposite ends to span the top of said battery from front to rear thereof, with the lugs at one end of said strap fitting over the upright elements of said angle members to hold said spacing webs in lateral bearing engagement with the upright rear Wall of said battery.

2. In a composite counter structure, a plurality of ling cabinet units of uniform height and length, means for fastening said units together in side-by-side abutting engagement to form a continuous battery of such units, facing panel sections detachably mounted on the rear face of said battery, each consisting of an upright plate having marginal spacing Webs including angle members With horizontal and vertical bearing elements tting along the upper edge of said battery for supporting engagement on the top and rear of the latter, and means for detachably securing said panel sections to said battery including metal straps each having depending lugs at opposite ends to span the top of said battery from front to rear thereof, with the lugs at one end of said strap tting over the upright elements of said angle members to hold said spacing Webs in lateral bearing engagement with the upright rear wall of said'battery, and cover means arranged to rest along the top of said battery and ln engagement with said straps to hold the latter in place.

3. In a composite counter structure, a plurality of filing cabinet units of uniform height and length, means for fastening said units together in side-by-side abutting engagement to form a continuous battery of such units, facing panel sections detachably mounted on the rear face of said battery, each consisting of an upright plate having marginal spacing Webs including angle members With horizontal and vertical bearing elements fitting along the upper edge of said battery for supporting engagement on the top and rear of the latter, and means for detachably securing said panel sections to said battery including metal straps each having depending lugs at opposite ends to span the top of said battery from front to rear thereof, with the lugs at one end of said strap fitting over the upright elements of said angle members adjacent the upper corners of proximate panel sections Vto hold said spacing Webs in lateral bearing engagement with the upright rear wall of said battery.

4. In a composite counter structure, a plurality of filing cabinet units of uniform height and length, means for fastening said units together in side-by-side abutting engagement to form a continuous battery of Hsuch units, facing panel sections detachably mounted on the rear face of said battery, each consisting of an upright plate having marginal spacing webs including angle members with horizontal and Vertical bearing elements tting along the upper edge of said battery for supporting engagement on the top and rear of the latter, means for detachably securing said panel sections to said battery including metal straps each having depending lugs at opposite ends to span the top of said battery from front to rear thereof, with the lugs at one end of said strap fitting over the upright elements of said angle members adjacent the upper corners of proximate panel sections to hold said spacing webs in lateral bearing engagement with the upright rear Wall of said battery, and cover means arranged to rest along the top of said battery and in engagement with said straps to hold the latter in place.

5. In a composite counter structure, a plurality of ling cabinet units of uniform height and length, means for fastening them together in side-by-side abutting alignment to form a continuous battery of such units, facing panel means detachably mounted on the rear face of said battery consisting of a plurality of panel sections, each having horizontal spacing webs along their upper and lower margins, the upper spacing Webs including angle members With horizontal and vertical bearing elements adapted to t along the upper edge of said battery for supporting engagement on the top and rear of the latter, said panel sections also having upright spacing webs along their ends adapted for connection with similar Webs of proximate panel sections, and means for detachably securing said panel sections t0 said battery including metal straps each having depending lugs at opposite ends arranged to span the top of said battery from front to rear thereof, with the lugs at one end of said strap fitting over the upright elements of spacing webs of proximate panel sections to hold said spacing webs in lateral bearing engagement with the rear upright Wall of said battery.

6. In a composite counter structure, a plurality of ling cabinet units of uniform height and length, means for fastening them together in side-by-side abutting alignment to form a continuous battery of such units, facing panel means detachably mounted on the rear face of said battery consisting of a plurality of panel sections, each having horizontal spacing webs along their upper and lower margins, the upper spacing webs including angle members with horizontal and vertical bearing elements adapted to t along the upper edge of said battery for supporting engagement on the top and rear of the latter, said panel sections also having upright spacing Webs along their ends, adapted for connection with similar Webs of proximate panel sections, and means for detachably securing said panel sections to said battery including metal straps each having depending lugs at opposite ends arranged to span the top of said battery from front to rear thereof, with the lugs at one end of said strap being bifurcated t0 span the upper ends of filing cabinet units of uniform height and length, means for fastening them together in sde-by-side abutting alignment to form a continuous battery of such units, facing panel means detachably mounted on the rear face of said battery consisting of a plurality of -panel sections, each having horizontal spacing webs along their upper and lower margins, the upper spacing webs including angle members with horizontal and vertical bearing elements adapted to fit along the upper edge of said battery for supporting engagement on the top and rear of the latter, said panel sections also having upright spacing webs along their ends, adapted for connection with similar Webs of proximate panel sections, means for detachably securing said panel sections to said battery including metal straps each having depending lugs at opposite ends arranged to span the top of said .battery from front to rear thereof, With the lugs at one end of said strap being bifurcated to span the upper ends of the upright spacing webs of proximate panel sections, and said last-named lugs also fitting over upright elements of the angle members adjacent the corners of said proximate panel sections to hold said spacing webs in lateral bearing engagement with the adjacent upright wall of said battery, and cover means arranged to rest along the top of said battery and projecting beyond the upper margins of said panel sections, said panel means being disposed in engagement with said straps to hold the latter in place.

8. In a composite counter structure, a plurality of filing cabinet units of uniform height and length, means for fastening said units together in side-by-side abutting engagement to form a continuous battery of such units, facing panel sections detachably mounted on the rear face of said battery, each consisting of an upright plate having horizontal spacing webs along their upper and lower margins, means for detachably securing the upper spacing Webs to said battery, said panel sections terminating in spaced relation above the bottom of said battery, a sectional base plate adapted for engagement with the outer face of said battery adjacent the floor, and means for holding said sectional base plate in place consisting of a plurality of screw devices mounted on the lower horizontal spacing Webs, extending into adjustable engagement with said base plate and accessible from beneath said horizontal spacing web.

9. In a counter assembly, an elongated battery of ling cabinets in alignment with each other,

sectional rear facing panels, means for detachably connecting said panels along the rear face of said battery including marginal spacing webs at opposite ends thereof, and end facing panels each having corner portions at each end to form nnished front and rear corners for the end of the counter structure, one of said corner portions having a marginal spacing web parallel with the main body portion of its respective panel for detachable connection to a corresponding spacing web of the proximate rear facing panel, and the opposite corner portion of said end panel having telescopic adjustable connection with an extension member xed to the front corner of the proximate filing cabinet.

10. In a counter assembly, an elongated battery of filing cabinets in alignment with each other, sectional rear facing panels, means for detachably connecting said panels along the rear face of said battery including marginal spacing webs at opposite ends thereof, and end facing panels each having corner portions at each end to form finished front and rear corners for the end of the counter structure, one of said corner portions having a marginal spacing web parallel with the main body portion of its respective panel for detachable connection to a corresponding spacing Web of the proximate rear facing panel, and the opposite corner portion of said end panel having telescopic adjustable connection with an extension member xed to the front corner of the proximate filing cabinet, and each of said end facing panels also having horizontal spacing webs along their upper margins adapted for supporting engagement with the top surface of the proximate filing cabinets in the various adjusted positions of said end facing panels whereby said end facing panels may be accommodated to minor variations in the length of said rear facing panels relative to the length of said filing cabinet battery.

FRED C. KUENZIE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 692,051 Forster Jan. 28, 1902 883,765 Vosmer Apr. 7, 1908 1,946,533 Johnston Feb. 13, 1934 2,279,945 Hoifman Apr. 14, 1942 

